The CMCA’s spectacular 60^th anniversary exhibition and The Community Schools’ amazing event with Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo and NY Times bestseller Andre Dubus III… lively conversation, book signing and fabulous food!

Want to attend both events but worried about parking? Fear not! 

All Aboard Trolley & Limousine Co. of Rockland will be providing transportation from the former Camden-Rockport Elementary School on West Street to CMCA & The Rockport Opera House.

Thank you, All Aboard!

Make sure you get your tickets now for what promises to be a wonderful event!

Join MWPA and the rest of our community at the Rockport Opera House on Saturday, May 19, from 4-6 to hear from these renowned authors!

]]> http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2961/thank-you-maine-writers-and-publishers-alliance/feed 0 http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2955/thank-you-key-bank http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2955/thank-you-key-bank#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 13:26:30 +0000 andreav http://www.thecommunityschool.org/?p=2955 BIG thank you to KeyBank for being one of our generous sponsors for the Conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo and NY Times bestseller Andre Dubus III at the Rockport Opera House!

Known for their great customer service, KeyBank is also a great community partner with branches across the state.

Thanks again to KeyBank and buy your tickets now for the book event on Saturday, May 19, at www.thecommunityschools.org!

]]> http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2955/thank-you-key-bank/feed 0 http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2947/know-technology-sponsors-literary-event http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2947/know-technology-sponsors-literary-event#comments Tue, 15 May 2012 21:16:13 +0000 andreav http://www.thecommunityschool.org/?p=2947 Award winning provider of IT solutions and support services Know Technology is sponsoring our upcoming book event with Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo and NY Times bestseller Andre Dubus III.

Know Technology is known for its experienced team and record of helping organizations achieve the right balance of systems and services to get the most out of their IT investments.

Thank you for your support, Know Technology!

Buy your tickets now for our upcoming book event this Saturday!

We are so thankful to Maine Magazine for sponsoring another CSOFC event! Thank you to Maine Mag for participating in the Conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo and NY Times bestselling author Andre Dubus III on May 19, from 4-6 pm!

Maine Mag shares great stories and images about local art, events, wedding, travel, people and all things Maine!

Check out the latest issue of Maine Mag at www.themainemag.com and don’t miss meeting these renowned authors this Saturday at the Rockport Opera House!

]]> http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2939/maine-mag-returns-as-a-sponsor/feed 0 http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2933/a-conversation-with-richard-russo-and-andre-dubus-iii-may-19-4-6pm-rockport-opera-house http://www.thecommunityschool.org/the-school-blog/2933/a-conversation-with-richard-russo-and-andre-dubus-iii-may-19-4-6pm-rockport-opera-house#comments Thu, 10 May 2012 14:47:44 +0000 andreav http://www.thecommunityschool.org/?p=2933 The Community Schools present “A Conversation with Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Russo and NY Times Bestseller Andre Dubus III” on Saturday, May 19 from 4-6 at The Rockport Opera House.

Dubus, whose House of Sand and Fog was a finalist for The National Book Award, and Russo, who won the Pulitzer for Empire Falls, will discuss memoir, including Dubus’ highly acclaimed Townie and Russo’s upcoming Elsewhere.

Doors will open at 4:00 and the conversation will start at 4:30.  Wine, cheese, chocolates and other Maine treats will be provided by Don and Patrisha McLean, State of Maine Cheese Company, Ducktrap River of Maine, Chocolatier Blue and other local businesses, with additional support provided by The Hawthorne Inn.

This event is generously sponsored by Charles and Julie Cawley, KeyBank, Know Technology, Maine Magazine, The Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance and Richard and Barbara Russo.

Tickets are $50 ($25 with student I.D) and all proceeds benefit The Community Schools. Tickets are available at The Owl & Turtle Bookshop, hello hello books, Maine Coast Book Shop & Café, and online at www.thecommunityschools.org.

Swing & Sway owner and Head Instructor Christian Clayton and Marianne Forti will dance a tango at this year's Dancing with the Local Stars

Marianne Forti is a graduate of The Boston Conservatory and went on to pursue a fulfilling career in dance and music performance and dance education in Boston and New York.

Marianne is a certified Pilates instructor at SOMA Pilates studio in Rockland where she teaches private Pilates sessions and group classes.

Marianne is the proud mom of Jude and Greta Forti, ages 9 and 6, and wife of Oceanside East Principal-extraordinaire Tom Forti.

She was asked by event organizers Heather Hearst and Nancy Schultz to come out of “retirement” and dance an athletic tango with her fabulous partner Christian Clayton who was kind enough to push her around from day one of rehearsal!

Marianne is proud to support The Community Schools along with her group of energetic moms known as The Hot Mamas.

Don’t miss Marianne and Christian dance the tango at the fourth annual Dancing with the Local Stars!

Jacob Adams with local star Brook Hartshorn!

Brook Hartshorn has worked for the Camden Police Department for ten years.

She has four children and two grandchildren, and she loves motorcycle riding and working out.

Brook got involved with Dancing with the Local Stars to benefit The Community Schools.

Brook says, “It’s a fantastic resource, and I would do anything to help the community in which I serve.”

Don’t miss Brook dance an east coast swing with Swing & Sway Dancing’s Jacob Adams on Friday, April 27, at the Camden Opera House!

Jamie Ritter and Bonny Branch will perform a foxtrot at this year's Dancing with the Local Stars!

Jamie Ritter has lived in the midcoast region of Maine since 1994.  He worked with MBNA, Camden National Bank, the Camden Public Library, and he is most recently a director at the Maine State Library in Augusta.

During his career with MBNA, Jamie worked closely with student-related internships including alternative high schools such as BCOPE and The Community School, and also worked directly with the MBNA Scholarship Program.

He is married to his beautiful wife Heather and has two terrific kids — his step-daughter Anna (13) and his son James (8). They all live in Searsmont, and look forward to a fun summer where they will plant a great vegetable and herb garden and a huge pumpkin patch!

Jamie likes to underscore that his dancing ability is “pretty bad” — he’s usually the guy “holding up the wall” so this experience has been both challenging and lots of fun. He’s glad that it’s helping such a great organization as The Community Schools.

Don’t miss Jamie and Bonny Branch of Swing & Sway Dancing perform a foxtrot at this year’s Dancing with the Local Stars!

Christian Clayton and Julia Libby perform the hustle!

Julia Libby was born in Lincolnville, the only girl of four children, and has lived there most of her life. She attended Lincolnville Central School and Camden High School.

Julia has three children who live in Lincolnville and Boston and four grandchildren ages 19-23.

Julia recently retired from a 33 year career as the office manager for the law firm of Harmon, Jones & Sanford in Camden and now works as the full time director/service chief for our local ambulance service.

She has been a member/volunteer for the past 29 years of the Camden First Aid Association and as a first responder in Lincolnville.  Julia currently serves on the Lincolnville Select Board as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Mid-Coast Solid Waste.

Julia is a member of the Camden District Nursing Association and has served in the past as its president and vice president.  Julia also served for many years as president and treasurer of the Anita Card Montgomery Foundation and is a member of the Camden Rotary Club.

Julia enjoys oil painting, dancing, gardening, spending time with family and friends, and, of course, rehearsing her hustle with Swing & Sway Dancing’s Christian Clayton!

Don’t miss Julia perform at Dancing with the Local Stars on Friday, April 27!